Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport faced disruptions in flight operations on Monday night as dense fog enveloped the national capital for the second consecutive day. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an alert warning of dense to very dense fog over the next few hours, prompting airport authorities and airlines to advise passengers to verify flight schedules.

Delhi Airport operator DIAL, in a statement issued at 11 pm, confirmed that flight operations were running under CAT III conditions, which could result in delays or cancellations. On-ground teams were deployed to assist passengers across all terminals, ensuring support for those affected by the weather-related disruptions.

Airlines’ Advisories:

Leading carriers, including IndiGo and Air India, issued advisories highlighting potential flight delays and urging passengers to stay updated on their schedules. IndiGo stated that early-morning fog could affect visibility not only in Delhi but also across Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jammu, Kolkata, Ranchi, Guwahati, and Hindon airports, warning of sudden reductions in visibility that could impact operations. Air India similarly cautioned that flight schedules to and from Delhi could be affected, with cascading effects likely across its network.

---

What is CAT III in Aviation?

CAT III, or Category III, refers to a highly precise Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach designed for conditions of extremely low visibility caused by fog, rain, or snow. It allows aircraft to land safely when pilots cannot rely on visual cues due to poor visibility.

According to aviation resources such as Skybrary, CAT III approaches are defined as:

• Decision height (DH): No decision height, or a decision height lower than 100 feet (30 meters) above the runway.
• Runway Visual Range (RVR): Minimum visibility of 700 feet (200 meters).

The system ensures that aircraft can approach and land safely even in the most adverse weather conditions. Real-time updates on runway visibility are crucial, as pilots rely on this information for safe takeoff and landing procedures.

Safety and Operations:

CAT III operations are implemented to maintain safety standards equivalent to normal conditions, even when visibility is significantly reduced. The system involves continuous monitoring of weather and runway conditions, ensuring that pilots receive accurate data to make safe landing decisions.

---

Impact on Passengers

With dense fog expected to persist in the early hours, passengers traveling to and from Delhi, as well as other northern Indian cities, are advised to:

• Check with their airline for updated flight schedules.
• Reach the airport well in advance to account for delays.
• Stay in regular contact with airline helpdesks for real-time updates.

Airport authorities and airlines have assured that all efforts are being made to minimise disruptions while prioritising passenger safety.

Summary:

The imposition of CAT III conditions at Delhi’s IGI Airport underscores the challenges posed by dense fog to aviation. While the system enables safe landings under extremely low visibility, flight schedules may still be affected. Passengers are advised to stay alert and follow airline advisories as operations continue under these challenging weather conditions.